(1) What is Morality, And where it comes from:
What is Morality? Morality is defined as a system or code that we humans use to differentiate between right and wrong. This system could be derived from a number of factors: Religion, Culture, and upbringing. It is difficult enough to determine what an individual’s morals are, but going further to determine how we came to possess those morals is even more ambitious. Still, regardless of its difficulty, this subject consumes many philosophers and psychologists. Most moral psychologists further believe that complex social structures such as religion and politics as well as our need for social structures affect ones personal structure of morals. Some even theorize the possibility of evolution causing ones morals. Personally, I have great interest in philosophy and ethics, but the theory that evolution over time has affected morality today is one theory I have not read about.
Where does morality come from? One major belief, of which I will personally emphasize on, is about Cultural relativism, in accordance with the source of morality, is the ideology that each culture has its own source of morality and therefore each culture has its own particular morality. An example of cultural relativism is that one culture believes that murder is bad while another culture believes that murder is not bad. This applies to the case in a big way, the people in Thailand believe that the sex tourism business is a reputable enterprise, but other countries that supply the tourists believe that this type of thing is terrible. So they implied their morals on the Thailand people thus showing that each culture has its own morality. Another example is of me. I, along with my siblings was born in a different Country. I came to the U.S at a young and adaptable age and started 1st grade here, and thus assimilated well to the new culture of being American. On the other hand my older siblings had either a hard time adjusting, or, flat-out said NO to a lot of American ways. As I’m older now, and I’m confronted with this subject, I tend to reminisce about some of the ways of life I lived back in my home Country. It is evident that some of my morals flashback to my early upbringing in a different culture, and when coincided with my new culture, it is then I notice my moral differences are predominantly based on culture. (2) Common philosophical themes in Bacon and Socrates regarding how philosophy and morality should be approached:
Francis Bacon was the founder of the modern scientific method. The focus on the new scientific method is on orderly experimentation. For Bacon, experiments that produce results are important. Bacon pointed out the need for clear and accurate thinking, showing that any mastery of the world in which man lives was dependent upon careful understanding. This understanding is based solely on the facts of this world and not as the ancients held it in ancient philosophy. This new modern science provides the foundation for modern political science. Bacon's political science completely separated religion and philosophy. For Bacon, nothing exists in the universe except individual bodies. Although he did not offer a complete theory of the nature of the universe, he pointed the way that science, as a new civil religion, might take in developing such a theory. The Socratic Method seeks to find the truth in matters, often those that are fundamentally wrong. Essentially, Socrates asks people to think to their selves and find answers to their own questions through dialogue rather than reiterate a popular definition. Usually, Socrates finds faults in the new definition and asks that a refined one is created. In theory, this process is to be continued until a satisfactory definition is reached. The key to the Socratic Method is the moment of confusion all of the people subjected to it experience. Once their beliefs are shattered, they find themselves forced to think independently and search for the truth. This method of Socratic questioning becomes especially invaluable when dealing with complex issues that are commonly misunderstood. In these two methods we see the common understanding of Individualism, new way of thinking, and rebellion of current ideas. Although these ideas all go hand and hand, Socrates and Bacon taught them as steps to new insight of living. The want for individualism leads to a new way of thinking, which in turn leads to a rebellion of the current ideas of living. We in modern times, especially in the Western world, can see the great influence these two Philosophers had bestowed upon us. In their time, they experienced the enslavement of the mind, whether it was through politics or their culture. So Socrates and Bacon taught us that according to the philosophy of morality we are not living our entirety until we can all individually contribute free ideas of life and live with them in unity. (3) Common educational themes in all the videos:
The commonality that I came across in these videos is that everyone of has a duty to live a fulfilling life, not just for the sake of ourselves, but for the sake of the idea that we all share this world. The videos connected very well how we all have a responsibility of finding ourselves, because if not someone else will do it for us. Constantly, I hear people claiming that they have 'found themselves'. These people go to retreats across the world in an attempt to escape their everyday lives and suddenly after a few weeks they magically know who they really are and what their purpose on this earth is. This new sense of completeness generally lasts for a couple of months, and then it is back to the routine life they led before their escape from reality. It is my belief that one 'finds himself', not by spending thousands of dollars at a peaceful retreat, but by living one's life. Through everyday experiences, whether it is the people I meet or through the challenges I face on a day-to-day basis, I think that self is not something I will find, but something I will create. Everyday I associate with different people and they allow me to consider different points of view through their own perspectives. As I view situations differently, I start to become more aware of how I can approach future issues to result in the most positive outcome. Through this process I realize that I am working on creating a better 'me'. I have personal ethics and morals, and I try to live my life by these values. When I come across a decision I have to make I contemplate my morals and ethics and make my decision based on what I think is deemed the right thing. I believe that we should all be kind, honest, caring individuals and that is the type of person I strive to be. So, when it comes to creating the self, I simply try to follow basic principles. Living our lives to the best of our ability is all we can do and then hope for the best. I feel that if I try and do the right the thing and make the right choice every time I am faced with an obstacle, I will become a better person. I know that this is not easy, but I believe that by following these guidelines I will be well on my way to creating myself. Becoming a better person to me, is all I can ask for, and in my mind if I continue to do what I think is better not only for me but for the people around me, It is then I will have 'found myself'.